A National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) review of UK and international literature on the impact of school-based alcohol education and life-skills programmes since 2008. This review considers which programmes offer the greatest value for money and the processes that facilitate or inhibit their implementation, sustainability and impact.

There is mixed evidence of the effectiveness of alcohol education and life-skills programmes.

The most substantial evidence was found in relation to pupils’ enhanced knowledge and understanding of alcohol-related issues.

There is a degree of evidence of the effectiveness of alcohol education and life-skills programmes in reducing the frequency of alcohol consumption and episodes of drunkenness among school-aged children.

There is limited evidence of programmes having a positive impact on school-aged children’s attitudes, decision-making abilities and confidence and assertiveness skills.

Very few studies investigate the cost benefits of programmes.

Factors that help to facilitate the success of alcohol and life-skills programs include:

Adopting a good balance between knowledge building, skills development, and sensitivity to factors influencing student attitudes and behaviour

Giving careful consideration to pedagogy, so that it is age appropriate

Ensuring programmes are delivered by the right people with the right skills (such as expert professionals and/or specialist school staff) and, where possible, are interactive and open

Utilising and drawing on the support of parents/carers as protective agents for young people wherever possible.